Places of Interest in Brittany
- Vannes

Prosperous and picturesque, Vannes is one of Brittany's livelier towns, and certainly more cosmopolitan than most. The centre of the town is rich in beautiful old houses, most of which are between 200 and 500 years old. In the summer, when the café terraces are flooded with alfresco diners, there is no doubt that the Place Gambetta has a distinctly Italian feel about it.

An Architectural Delight

Unlike many of its neighbours, Vannes escaped serious wartime damage, and a great deal of its original walled old town remains intact. A walk around the ramparts will give you an exceptional view of all the sights, at the centre of which is the cathedral. This is a truly eclectic mixture of architectural styles. Hundreds of years in the building, it is part Romanesque, part Gothic, and part Italian Renaissance.

Things to do

Nearby, there are some very chic shops, an aquarium, several museums including Musée des Automates which features mechanical toys from the 19th century, and a fine butterfly house - La Papillonneraie.

Vannes is also the perfect base from which to take a boat out and explore the beautiful islands in the Gulf of Morbihan. Being almost entirely surrounded by land, the bay is well sheltered, and the climate is pleasantly warm for most of the year.